As many of you know from following us on Instagram or Facebook, Katie B and I went thrift shopping while we were in Destin last week. It’s become a bit of a tradition for us. We didn’t have our video camera with us this time, but we took a ton of photos to share. Here are my finds—Katie posted hers on her blog if you want to see her picks.
I’ll start with my favorites: these woven twin-sized headboards. They were $29 each and I completely regret leaving them behind. Imagine them painted white, a soft blue, or even a bold red. Their shape hints at a quatrefoil when paired with a mattress, and I loved them. There wasn’t room in the car, and since we use daybeds at home I couldn’t justify bringing them back. Still — the ones that got away. I hope someone gives them a happy home.
I also liked a wicker-based side table. The rounded-square glass top didn’t do it justice in my opinion, but picture it with a large round wood top or painted charcoal like a pedestal table. The woven base would add nice texture to a room.
Two gilded frames were $2.99 each. With a coat of paint—white, black, yellow, or emerald—and new fabric inserts they’d be great in a frame collage. The small figures inside could be painted and reused, or removed entirely so the fabric becomes the focal point.
A tall, leggy wooden side table was $29. It’s solid wood, so you could sand and oil or stain it, or paint it—cottage red, crisp white, or soft gray—to use as a bedside or end table. A woven basket underneath would add practical storage.
There were four simple chairs priced around $19 each. They looked a bit bland as-is, but a glossy white or black paint on the frames and new cushions—ikat or polka dot, for example—would transform them. The seats come off easily, which makes spray painting and reupholstering straightforward.
A solid wood three-drawer dresser caught my eye too. At $59 it wasn’t exactly a steal, but for solid wood it was a good value compared to flat-pack options. Imagine it stenciled, hand-painted, studded with nail-heads, or stained and refinished for a richer look. New hardware would finish it off beautifully.
There were four midwood chairs for $15 each. I liked them as they were—the wood tone and cushions were in good shape—but they’re easy to update with paint or new upholstery. I could picture them painted a soft metallic with navy velvet seats for a more refined look.
A small green lamp reminded me of kids’ decor from stores like Pottery Barn Kids, and at $6 it was a bargain. I prefer newer-looking lamps when buying secondhand unless I plan to rewire them, since older lamps can have faulty wiring and that’s a safety risk.
There were tons of textile finds, which can intimidate some buyers, but most can be cleaned: wash on hot or use the sanitary setting and add bleach if you’re extra cautious. A high-contrast chevron-ish queen comforter was $19. It would be great as-is or cut up for pillows, curtains, or Roman shades—an affordable fabric source.
A twin-sized Ikea duvet was $5.99—perfect to use on a twin bed or to repurpose the fabric into runners or napkins for a themed table setting.
There were many lace tablecloths that I could picture dyed for a modern update—blue ombre or a solid emerald or plum would be gorgeous. Lace also makes a great “stencil”: lay it over a table, spray paint, then lift to reveal a delicate pattern on the surface.
I fell in love with a polka dot twin sheet set—100% cotton and only $7. It reminded me of sets from Pottery Barn and Serena & Lily. I bought them and they’re already on Clara’s daybed; she’s obsessed with polka dots right now.
Here’s a goofy shot of me showing off the sheet set in true Vanna White style.
And a random “Duck!” moment. The ceramic mallard was $1.99 and tempting, but my ceramic animal collection is already large, so I left him for someone else.
Don’t forget to check books at thrift stores. I found a giant hardcover for $3.99—easily 18″ tall—with beautiful photos you could frame, display on a coffee table, or flip through and change the open page regularly to keep things fresh.
So that’s the haul. I only brought one thing home—the polka dot sheets—but the thrill of the hunt is the best part. Also, John would have killed me if I returned with ten bags of stuff to pack into the car. #carpackingtyrant
What are you hunting for these days? Any thrift-store wins in your area? Do you ever shop secondhand while on vacation? I’m a fan and always on the lookout.